Math Professor and Sociology Professor Receive 2011 Teaching Awards

Kimele Carter received the Academic Advising Award from students D'Art Bebel and Tiffany Brigham. At right is Kim Murphy, director of Academic Success and Advising.

Annual awards come with a $2,000 prize

Kendall Richards, professor of mathematics, and Sandi Nenga, assistant professor of sociology, have received the 2011 Southwestern University Teaching Awards.

The award was created by the Southwestern faculty in 1999 to recognize faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. Nominations for the award are submitted by students in the spring semester, and recipients are selected by the Honorary Degrees Committee. Richards received the award for a tenured faculty member and Nenga received the award for a non-tenured faculty member, although she was recently granted tenure. The award comes with a $2,000 prize.

“We all appreciate his dedication and hard work,” said Madeline Bailey, a student who nominated him for the award.

Richards has a Ph.D. from Texas Tech University. He earned his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Eastern New Mexico University.

Nenga joined the Southwestern faculty in 2004. She teaches classes in Social Problems, Latinos and Education in the United States, Deviance/Conformity/Identity, Childhood and Youth, and Social Class in the United States.

“Dr. Nenga has a passion for teaching and she creates an atmosphere where students can share their ideas,” said Mayra Garcia, a student who nominated her for the award. “Furthermore, she makes me feel worthy as a student and is never too busy to sit down and chat about a paper or just life in general.”

Nenga holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Simon’s Rock College and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University. Nenga previously received Southwestern’s Excellence in Academic Advising Award in 2007.

The 2011 Excellence in Academic Advising Award went to Kimele Carter, assistant director for advising and access resources. This award comes with a $500 prize.

“Kimele was an instrumental force in helping make my Southwestern experience a positive one,” said senior D’Art Bebel, who nominated Carter for the award.